Sustainability in your home

Energy efficiency funding

Private finance

There are several different options for funding projects that make your home an energy efficient one. You may have savings that you can use, or you could explore finance or loan options. The Citizens advice bureau have information and advice on borrowing and finance options.

Additionally, there are some lenders, such as TrustMark, who will offer cash back or lower interest rates on borrowing for home energy improvements.

Grant funding

You may be eligible for a government grant. There are currently a number of schemes available to residents in West Northants, eligibility will depend on your home, your personal circumstances and which measures you are hoping to install at your property.

Discover various grant funding options below.

HUG 2

This is a government funded scheme providing a whole house retrofit approach for some of the least energy efficient low-income homes. The scheme is aimed at private homes that are off the gas grid until March 2025. These can be either owner occupied or privately rented homes, but there are additional requirements for rented properties.

This scheme will seek to improve the insulation levels in your home before any other work is carried out. Low emission heating systems will also be prioritised, but all measures will be considered to improve the energy efficiency of your home. A qualified surveyor will visit your property to determine the most appropriate work to be done and will discuss this with you.

Find eligibility criteria and how to apply on our HUG 2 page.

BUS

BUS (Boiler Upgrade Scheme) is a government scheme to encourage householders to replace fossil fuel heating systems with heat pumps and biomass boilers.  

There are no financial eligibility criteria for the BUS scheme, and it can provide grants of £5000 towards the cost of an air source heat pump or a biomass boiler or £6000 towards the cost of a ground source heat pump. However, there must not be any outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation on the property’s EPC.

To access the grant funding an MCS registered installer will have to undertake the work and will apply for the grant on your behalf. They must be registered for the BUS scheme. Find a list of registered installers.

Read through Ofgem's detailed guidance on the scheme Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Guidance for Property Owners | Ofgem.

ECO 4

ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) is a government designed scheme. It asks energy companies to provide energy efficiency improvements to the poorest performing low-income homes with the goal of delivering lifetime savings on their energy bills. The current iteration of ECO4 is until March 2026.

To be eligible for this scheme homes must have a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating of D-G. A SAP rating is the UK Governments recommended system for accessing the energy rating of properties. If you have an up to date Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) you will be able to find your SAP score.  

Properties need to be owned by the householders or have permission from the landlord to take part in the scheme. You must also be in receipt of an eligible benefit.  

To learn more about eligibility and what help is available you can contact any of the energy suppliers that are involved in the scheme. 

ECO 4 Flex

ECO4 Flex is a whole house retrofit funding scheme, it is part of the ECO4 scheme outlined above, but eligibility is a little more flexible.

For more information on eligibility criteria and how to apply go to our ECO4 Flex page.

The Great British Insulation Scheme

The Great British Insulation Scheme is a government scheme which obliges energy companies to install insulation measures in homes to improve energy efficiency in the poorest performing homes.

To be eligible for this scheme homes must have a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating of D-G. A SAP rating is the UK Governments recommended system for accessing the energy rating of properties. If you have an up to date Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) you will be able to find your SAP score.  

Your home must also be within council tax bands A-D. The amount of funding you receive will depend on your circumstance and the measure you require. Those identified as being on low income could receive heating control measures in addition to insulation.

If you believe that you are eligible, you can apply on the GOV.UK website.

Last updated 19 August 2024